Shadows (2020): A Haunting Descent into the Fragile Human Mind
Shadows (2020) is a brooding, atmospheric psychological thriller that blurs the line between reality and delusion. Directed by Italian filmmaker Carlo Lanza in his English-language debut, the film explores the darkness of the mind, the weight of memory, and the unsettling idea that sometimes, the scariest things are not what lie in the shadows—but what they represent.
Set in a remote forested region in post-collapse Europe, Shadows follows a mother and her two daughters, Alma and Alex, who live in an abandoned research facility deep in the wilderness. Civilization, as they knew it, has crumbled. The outside world is said to be dangerous—filled with invisible threats that can only be survived by strict rules and complete isolation. The mother teaches her daughters to obey the rules without question, especially one: never go into the forest after dark.
As the film unfolds, the relationship between the trio begins to unravel. Alma, the older daughter, begins to question her mother’s strict, paranoid warnings. She senses something is wrong—not just in the outside world, but within their home. Alex, the younger sister, is quiet and disturbed, speaking to voices in the dark and sketching unsettling drawings. As Alma secretly begins to explore the forest, she uncovers remnants of a hidden past—a past that suggests the danger may not lie in the world outside, but in the lies they've been told to keep them inside.
Shadows thrives on mood and tension rather than jump scares. The visuals are stark and poetic: fog rolling over pine-covered hills, dim candlelit rooms, and looming silhouettes in the trees. The film uses minimal dialogue, relying on powerful performances and sound design to immerse the audience in Alma’s growing paranoia and dread.
At its core, Shadows is a story about control, trauma, and the need for truth. The mother’s authoritarian grip is rooted in deep personal grief, and the forest—so long presented as a place of fear—becomes a symbol of liberation and revelation. The film’s final act delivers a haunting twist, revealing the truth about the family's isolation, the lies they've believed, and the cost of confronting reality after years of denial.
Critics praised Shadows for its slow-burn intensity and its emotional complexity. It has been compared to The Witch and The Babadook for its psychological horror approach, layered symbolism, and feminist themes. Young lead actress Mia Thorne (as Alma) received acclaim for her compelling, restrained performance that anchors the film's emotional weight.
Though not a mainstream hit, Shadows (2020) has earned cult status among fans of cerebral horror and European arthouse cinema. It lingers long after the credits roll—a quiet, eerie reminder that the scariest monsters are often born in the dark corners of the human psyche.
